Roddy Walston and the Business played a sold-out Sinclair Thursday night and after a year of touring behind their breakout record Essential Tremors they’ve proved that they are an undeniably well-oiled rock n’ roll boogie machine.
Since playing to a packed Great Scott just over a year ago, J. Roddy and co. have been touring relentlessly and even though this show was totally rock solid, seeing pretty much the same set three times in under seven months may have taken some of the initial excitement away from seeing this incredibly talented rock savior. I don’t think I was alone as the crowd seemed a little disingenuous in their hands half in the air excitement, and even the road weary J. Roddy himself seemed to be fulfilling the cliché of “dialing it in” a bit on a fourth or fifth leg of a tour behind the breakout record.
Whether he was truly greasing the wheels of the his rock n’ roll time machine Thursday night or it’s just me bragging about seeing the same kick-ass band three times in a year, the real question is what’s next for J. Roddy? And how long will his hair get? How does it stay so perfectly wavy?
This is where I found my mind wandering to while watching this show from the back of the Sinclair. So with only this to work with I am led to believe that yes, it’s definitely just me and I know exactly why. The first time I saw these guys was only with about thirty other people who showed up early to their opening spot at the Orpheum in May. Everyone was sitting down, and J. Roddy made everyone stand up and boogie. That was cool. Then in July at Newport, Jack White walked up along the side of the stage watched their set and took a Polaroid of the band during a legendary “Midnight Cry.” That was very cool. So saying I might be a little jaded at this point is a fair assessment, nonetheless, I am devoted to giving you a fair and honest review.
That was until this past Sunday when I heard “Sweat Shock” backing a Coors Light commercial and I felt that familiar wave of possessiveness and theft come over me as another band I love has now become everyone’s to love as they inevitably do when they are that good. It was fun while it lasted I guess. I won’t be impressing anyone anymore playing, “Take it as it comes,” in someones car. No more “you gotta check these guys out, you’ll love them.” Nope, you’re on your own now J. Roddy and your Business, and I’m super proud of you, but it’s time for us to part ways.
In all honesty, if you have a hard time picking up on sarcasm through writing then let me be clear, J. Roddy Walston and the Business were the best new band to emerge in 2013 and have been making waves and new fans ever since. They totally kill it every night with their honky tonk southern blues rock n’ roll and J’s voice is the quintessential warm and scratchy that makes people hang on every word and scream. You can’t go wrong with one of their shows, and even though the next record will really define them as a novelty or something more, their “on the brink” status for now is over. That’s simply because of how much mass appeal they carry. Your dad is going to love J. Roddy, your brother who only listens to the Black Keys will like them and everyone else in between and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Yes, their set was a little short and generic in that they played everything you’d hoped to hear.They’re still a relatively new band that’s what you do. “Sweat Shock” opened the night and there was hardly any banter from there on out as they rolled through a solid fifteen song set. “Take it as it comes” was placed in the middle of the set and was a little anti-dramatic in its zeal live. His screams were perfectly audible and clear on “Don’t Break the Needle,” and every song in between. He switches back and forth as a standing front man and keyboard player effortlessly and when their songs have keys their dynamic changes immediately. “Midnight Cry” is one of those right place/right time songs and I wasn’t in the mood for the nostalgia that song conjures in you. A three song encore ended with “Heavy Bells” and remarkably, this dude does not blow out his voice. I mean he must sometimes but not on this night. Overall, the shrewdness of this review doesn’t mean this show wasn’t passionately delivered or well played, but I think it attempts to speak more to the feeling you lose after you initially are blown away from a band like J. Roddy Walston and the Business. They can do it once, but can they do it again? Only time and new material will tell.
Opening the show was Fly Golden Eagle, a band that that has also made their rounds opening for fellow breakout bands (Alabama Shakes & Dr. Dog). But after releasing Quarts, an epic 26-track seventies throw back record and playing much of it to kick off the night, one may think they’re finally be ready to head out on their own headlining tour. Drawn in by their new record, the psychedelic rock act from Nashville, fit perfectly with the J. Roddy and was highlighted by layered organ and retro riffs. Lead singer Ben Trimble’s voice sounds better live compared to their records which can get drowned out on some songs. Overall, they set a tone for some heavy rock music head bopping.
